There are the obvious ones. The US has the keep-your-lane system, where as in Europe you are expected to keep to the right (left for UK) as long as possible.
On my latest travel to the US, I was confronted with the possibility to go through a red light if you turn right, unless it is explicitly not allowed.
So my question is, what a european driver should know when driving in the US. What are the do's and don'ts compared to driving in Europe.

@AndrewFerrier Great comment, you should turn it into an answer so I could give your credits. You often hear people saying that they wish that Europe would adapt the keep-your-lane system from the US. Funny that there is no such thing. What sign indicates a keep-your-lane road? Is passing on the right then also as forbidden as it is overhere?
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andraSep 15 '12 at 8:26

The US has the keep-your-lane system I don't think this is true... and I know it's now not true in Kansas. You can now be ticketed for staying in the left lane.
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FlimzyAug 5 '14 at 13:12

From personal experience, I've noticed that in some European countries it is common for cars that are about to overtake on a highway to hover for a while between two lanes (I saw this a lot in Iberia). Also, in Scandanavia in particular, I saw a lot of cars in the right lane actually move onto the shoulder while being overtaken. In my experience, I have never seen either of these practices in the US, and they likely violate many states' regulations.

Given the automotive boom of the mid-20th century, many large, multi-lane roads were built. As such, putting traffic lights at the intersections of these 3+ lane roads to allow left turns became a bottleneck. Therefore, some states implemented other means of turning left on large roads. For example, the jughandle turn is very common, especially in the Northeast. The "Median U-Turn Crossover" is also very common in Michegan.

This last note isn't so much about regulations, but I'd highly recommend bringing or renting a GPS/SatNav. Unlike in most of Europe, I find signage in the US to be particularly bad. For example, in Europe there are often signs in the countryside pointing one to the direction for the nearest cities. In the US, such signs usually only point to the closest highway, so unless you know specifically which highway will point you to your destination, you may be out of luck.

Additions (2011-07-19):

In an increasing number of states, it is illegal to operate a mobile phone while driving. The wording of the laws varies by state; in some it is even illegal to touch a mobile phone while driving. In most (if not all) states it is okay to use a hands-free device (e.g., a bluetooth headset), though.

In some states (e.g., Oregon and New Jersey) it is illegal to pump your own fuel; all of the gas stations are "full service" (i.e., an attendant must pump the fuel for you). In these states it is not necessary for you to tip the attendant for his or her service, although I am sure it is appreciated. I am not sure about Oregon, but at least in New Jersey I know that it is illegal to exit your vehicle while your fuel is being pumped (presumably for the safety of the attendant). I believe these laws were enacted in the late 1940s/early 1950s because the government thought that pumping fuel was too difficult and hazardous an activity for the average motorist. The laws have probably persisted because repealing them would mean the loss of a great number of gas attendant jobs.

If you plan on using a radar detector, the laws vary by state (much in the same way that they vary by country in Europe). In general, it is legal to use a radar detector in all states except Virginia and Washington, D.C. In some states (e.g., Minnesota and California), it is illegal to mount the radar detector from the windshield, since it obstructs the driver's vision.

Your first and last addition are not a points of difference. The same could be said for Europe. Nice point on gas stations.
–
andraJul 19 '11 at 14:32

@Andra: I know, I just wanted to emphasize the fact that there are not country-wide regulations on those practices; the laws vary state-by-state. Good point though.
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ESultanikJul 19 '11 at 14:54

1

Moving over to the shoulder to allow a car to pass is a common custom in Texas and presumably many other southern states in the USA, but only on two lane roads. A "Thank you" wave is generally in order if you are the person overtaking the other car in they move over for you.
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JohnFxSep 16 '11 at 15:39

I disagree about the GPS, but for the same reason. I never had big issues driving in the US because if I was on a long trip, I'd plan the itinerary. While in France, for local traffic, you should follow signs to the next big city sometimes 50 km away, even if you drive a couple km.
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VinceNov 16 '12 at 8:16

In Texas, it is (or at least was) a requirement that a vehicle being overtaken by a passing vehicle must pull over to the right. I've never seen that anywhere else in the US, though.
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FlimzyAug 5 '14 at 13:08

At intersections without "STOP" or "YIELD" signs, slow down and be ready to stop. Yield to traffic and pedestrians already in the intersection or just entering the intersection. Also, yield to the vehicle or bicycle which arrives first, or to the vehicle or bicycle on your right if it reaches the intersection at the same time as you.

At "T" intersections without "STOP" or "YIELD" signs, yield to traffic and pedestrians on the through road. They have the right-of-way.

When you turn left, give the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching that are close enough to be dangerous. Also, look for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When you turn right, be sure to check for pedestrians crossing the street and bicyclists coming up behind you on the right. On divided, highways or highways with several lanes, watch for vehicles coming in any lane you cross. Turn either left or right only when it is safe.

When there are "STOP" signs at all corners, stop first then follow the above rules.

If you have parked off the road or are leaving a parking lot, etc., yield to traffic before reentering the road.

This isn't a regulation, but it could be very important nonetheless. If stopped by the police, do not have the reflex of reaching into the glove box for the car's papers. This could be interpreted as reaching for a gun, and you risk getting shot preemptively. Once you've stopped your car, remain in your seat, and keep your hands well in evidence (on the steering wheel).

"Do not keep driving". This is a worrying advise since some people dress up as police officers driving in a police car lookalike to rob you. In some countries the advise is to keep driving until you are in a place with enough witnesses. I can imagine this advise to be also valid in a widespread country like the USA, with many deserted places.
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andraJul 20 '11 at 6:13

5

In some countries the real police will rob you. This has happened to two groups of friends of mine in Mexico City.
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hippietrailJul 20 '11 at 8:08

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FYI: It is a REALLY bad idea to try to bribe a police officer in the USA. You are more likely to get in further trouble than get out of it.
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JohnFxSep 16 '11 at 15:43

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@Andra: As a US resident (but not a police officer) I would definitely stop driving if you get pulled over. I have heard that if you are worried that the car pulling you over is not a real police officer, pull over and when the officer comes to the car, roll down the window and tell them your concern and ask them to call another police car. If you continuing to drive the real police will interpret as you fleeing, presumably because you have an outstanding arrest warrant or something you will be in much more trouble). Personally, I have never, ever worried about this while driving in the US.
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auujayOct 26 '11 at 13:33

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Also good to know: in the US, the police car that is pulling you over will stop behind you, not in front of you. Fines are never issued on the spot, the police officer never handles money, and any suggestion of payment will likely be construed as attempted bribery.
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200_successNov 7 '11 at 11:52

In California, at uncontrolled intersections (without traffic signs or signals) you yield in theory "to the vehicle or bicycle on your right if it reaches the intersection at the same time as you" (Priority to the right). In practice, though, most intersections are controlled by stop signs or traffic lights, with uncontrolled intersections only in very undeveloped areas with little traffic, making this mostly a non-issue. In Sweden, the same "Priority to the right" [högerregeln] system applies, but the big difference is that many intersections are not controlled, and there are additional signs (priority road, end of priority road, intersection shape and priority) and rules (utfartsregeln, svängningsregeln, etc) to negate the priority to the right or otherwise modify the right of way, making it critical to understand and keep in mind "Priority to the right" all the time.

In California, you're advised to "drive in the lane with the smoothest flow of traffic", though in general you're expected to keep to the right (if two lanes) or choose the middle lane (if three lanes). In Sweden, that's true but there's an important exception: if there are two lanes in the same direction and the speed limit is 70 km/h or lower, you are free to drive in any lane and may even pass to the right.

In California, there is no guideline for when another driver is passing you. In Sweden, if another driver is trying to pass you, even if the pass is wrong or dangerous, you are obligated to facilitate the pass by moving to the right. You may specifically even drive on the shoulder if it is reasonable.

In California, when entering a freeway, "freeway traffic has the right-of-way". In Sweden, if a specific on-ramp exists, neither side has right-of-way. Both sides are obligated to show mutual consideration when merging.

In California, you must wear seat belts at all times. In Sweden, seat belts are specifically not required when backing the vehicle or when driving in a parking lot, gas station, etc.

In California, you may turn right on red ("you may turn right if there is no sign to prohibit the turn"). In Sweden, there is no such provision, though there is an obscure case where this is possible. If there is a "Stopp vid signal" sign [Stop for the signal] and the traffic light is located after the intersection, the light only applies to you if you are crossing the intersection. If you're turning right, the light does not apply and you may effectively turn right on red. (This is not common.)

Seriously? One may pass on the right in Sweden? I live in Sweden, my girlfriend is taking her exam in Sweden, but I've never heard this (OK, I do live 650 km from the nearest highway).
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gerritNov 15 '12 at 16:59

Yes, Google for "omkörning på höger sida". One of the specific exceptions on korkortonline.se/teori/omkorningar for example, says "Tillåtet om hastighetsbegränsningen är max 70 km/h och det finns minst 2 markerade körfält i samma riktning. [Allowed if the speed limit is max 70 km/h and there is at least two marked lanes in the same direction.]
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jrcNov 15 '12 at 20:29

In most of (mainland) Europe there's a priority for traffic coming from the right (on an intersection without traffic lights), and you don't necessarily have to stop when you see there's no other traffic.

So one of the things I think a lot of Europeans will have trouble with at first when driving in America is the fact that on an intersection without traffic lights, there's a system of first come first serve, and you ALWAYS HAVE TO STOP (apparently - see the comments - you only have to stop when there is a stop sign). There are a lot of intersections in America which have a stop sign on all four directions, then the first come, first serve system is applied. That's something which doesn't exist in Europe because you simply don't have intersections with stop signs in all directions (mostly only 2 of them and the main road has priority). At least I don't know of any.

I say at first, because I think it's a very good (if not better) system once you get used to it. But that might also have something to do with the fact that most intersections in America are much larger than they are in Europe, so it's usually much easier to see all the traffic coming from the different directions.

Are you sure about your second paragraph? In Canada you don't have to stop at an intersection unless you have either a stop light or a stop sign, and I haven't observed anything different in my trips to the US or when I lived in Chicago. Wikipedia seems to agree; it says both Europe and the US prioritize traffic from the right at uncontrolled intersections, but mentions nothing about stopping by default. Same as Canada.
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Matthew ReadJun 30 '11 at 14:53

4

Matthew Read is correct. In the US, you only have to stop at an intersection without a traffic light if there is a stop sign (this is the explicit purpose of our stop signs). Many intersections will have stop signs present only for some branches, and not all (i.e. a 4-way intersection where only traffic going North/South has to stop).
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BeofettJun 30 '11 at 18:31

@Matthew, @Beofett: I have been driving mostly in San Francisco, and there you really have to stop at each intersection. It might be that there are indeed stop signs everywhere though... I might have been looking over that.
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fretjeJun 30 '11 at 19:08

It is worth noting that the "you don't have to stop without a red-light or stop sign" rule is generally subject to the rules of right-of-way (e.g. if there's a car, bike, or pedestrian that has right-of-way over you, you can't plow through them simply because there was no stop sign).
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BeofettJul 1 '11 at 19:20

Corrected: Great question, but your presumption is partially incorrect: the US does have a not have a keep-your-lane system in many states, except where signs explicitly show, but not all. Many drivers do drive that way, but in fact you are supposed to behave in a similar (although not identical) way to how you do in Europe: stay to the right (or left) by default, moving over only to overtake..

This varies state-to-state, and also depending on the number of lanes on the road. dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traffic_lanes.htm#choose_lane specifically states "Do not weave in and out of traffic. Stay in one lane as much as possible". Compared to Australia where there is an explicit "Keep Left Under Overtaking" rule, most of the US is very much a keep-your-lane system - at least on roads with more than 2 lanes.
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DocSep 16 '12 at 17:21

Doc, I take it back. On digging deeper, it appears you're right about the "most" qualifier, although some states do still have a left-lane-for-overtaking-only system. This page does a pretty good job of summarising this: mit.edu/~jfc/right.html. Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that I've seen "Stay in Lane" signs from time-to-time on highways. I'm now wondering what they are for... if Stay in Lane is the default.
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Andrew FerrierSep 16 '12 at 17:27

3

"Stay in Lane" or "Do Not Pass" signs are normally a short-term instruction, normally at a point where the road ahead would make changing lanes dangerous for some reason. eg, going through a tunnel, roadworks, or sudden lane direction changes. These signs are normally accompanied by the lines between the lanes changing to solid lines to depict not to change between them.
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DocSep 16 '12 at 17:41